Ways To Treat Mosquito Bites
You know the whine. It can wake you from the deepest sleep and send you straight into seek and destroy mode. It’s not much fun chasing a mosquito around the bedroom at 4am. Countryside or town, some places on earth are just prone to mosquitoes and if you are in one there will be all sorts of plug in devices and sprays you can use safely to drive away or kill them outright right away. There are even handy mosquito repellent infused wrist bands which are very effective for short term use if you are on vacation.
Even so, with all the preventative measures you can take, if you’ve mossies are in your area, it will be hard to prevent bites. Before the itch drives you completely loco try these remedies that have been proven to help.
Oatmeal
Yes, you read it correctly! Oatmeal. This delicious breakfast can also be a quick remedy for mosquito bites. Due to oatmeal having anti-inflammatory properties, it can relieve the blemish, redness and irritation.
Making this remedy is super easy and fast. Pour out proportionate amounts of oatmeal and water and mix them well until a paste is formed. Using a towel, place the oatmeal paste over the bite, leave for 10 minutes then rinse off.
Ever heard of an oatmeal porridge spa? Well, you might want to try this if you have multiple mosquito bites. Simply add about a cup of oatmeal into the warm water and give the bath bombs a miss. Lay in the mix for a good 20 minutes. Gently massage the bitten areas though, instead of falling asleep!
Crushed Ice
Icing irritated areas of your skin can also reduce redness and relieve the pain. It will only be short-lived since it is your skin that goes numb. The Mayo Clinic recommends using a cold pack or crushed ice-filled bags rather than applying ice directly on your skin which could cause frostbite.
Honey
Teenagers or young adults are very serious about incorporating honey in their daily skincare routines. Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant qualities, honey has always been used as a treatment for bruises, blemishes, bumps, pimples, bites and sore throats. Easy and sweet, isn’t it? Avoid licking your bite though. The best part is about this bit remedy is that a little goes a long way, friends.
Baking Soda
Scientifically known as Sodium Bicarbonate, this ordinary yet useful ingredient can be found in almost every kitchen. Used for teeth whitening and unclogging drains, baking soda is essential for more than just baking and it can also be used to help ease a mosquito bite.
The paste is easily made with a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water. Time to daydream again for 10 minutes or so as you wait.
However, caution must be taken for using this remedy since it is not recommended for sensitive skin.
Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has also been an essential remedy and a trusted source for treating burns and infections.
To treat a mosquito bite, and help to reduce the itching sensation, use a drop of vinegar on the infected area. Yes, the nails may be tempted as it stings a bit, but, no scratching!
Need a better, long-lasting relief? Try taking a vinegar bath with 2 cups of vinegar in tepid water for 20 minutes. Or, using a washcloth soaked with water and vinegar to gently dab the affected areas.
Toothpaste
Any toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth works well to soothe mosquito bites. Simply rub a small amount straight from the tube onto the bite. Leave it dry and as it does it will take away the itch and help kick start recovery.
A Hot Spoon
This is a tried and trusted remedy for mosquito bites. Warm up a spoon in hot water. With the spoons reasonably hot press it with a rolling action onto the bite. Hold the spoons on the bite for couple of minutes. This not only stops the itch by breaking down proteins, but it also works well on all kinds of insect bites.
Onion
Yes, you might want to avoid the tears, but fresh onion juice is an effective solution for bites due to anti-inflammatory properties. For this remedy, take a fresh slice of onion and rub it onto the site of the bite for a couple of minutes. Be sure to rinse off well, for obvious stinky reasons.
Thyme
Thyme is more than garnish. It can help relieve irritation and infection due to its antibacterial qualities. As much as it compliments pasta, thyme is great for skin infections too!
The most efficient way to use this remedy is by direct application for 10 minutes. Just rub a fresh sprig on the bite. You can also dab a thyme-water infused towel on the affected skin. Boil water with thyme twigs to make the infusion and soak a towel in after it has cooled. To go the extra mile to get rid of the itch, wrap this towel around an ice cube before dabbing it on.
Basil Leaves
Basil can be applied in the form of body butter, body lotion or oil. You only have to spend a few cents on ½ ounce of dried basil leaves and let them infuse into boiling water. Use the towel process for this remedy too and if you want quick healing, apply the leaves directly.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is one of the most used drugstore products especially skin cleansing in makeup routines and therefore is trusted for its astringent properties. Good news! Witch hazel also helps with quick healing as well as dealing effectively with the bite irritation. It just takes a few drops of witch hazel on a cotton swab and a quick dab on the irritated area. Let it dry, no need to rinse.
Take Over-The-Counter Antihistamines
Antihistamines stop the body reacting to the bite by blocking the production of histamine. You can take them as oral medicines (Benadryl or Claritin) or on the bite as a lotion. They are readily available at pharmaceutical stores and it’s useful to keep a pack in for a systemic body wide remedy if you are in an area plagued by mosquitoes.
Use Ointments Containing Lidocaine Or Benzocaine
Another drugstore itch relief cream are lidocaine and benzocaine. Since skin types differ and you may want to look for other options, try to look for creams or gels with menthol and peppermint. These would help with the calming sensation you need!
See A Doctor For Your Bite If …
CAUTION! If a bite causes anaphylactic shock, seek immediate medical help. This kind of response can be fatal. Anaphylaxis is a system wide sudden and extremely severe reaction. You will only have minutes to respond. Read these symptoms carefully;
- Uneasy shallow quick breathing
- Allergic hives, swelling around the eyes, tongue and mouth
- A sore or congested throat inhibiting breathing as the throat swells
- A sneezing sensation
- A sudden temperature spike with raised blood pressure and a fast pulse causing flushing
Take a sigh of relief. Mosquito bites don’t tend to cause anaphylactic shocks unless you are already susceptible, for instance, if you are allergic to bee stings. However, some bites become increasingly itchy after about 24 hours. It can be impossible to not scratch and once you do, to stop. Children can not deal with this. They will scratch away leaving the site open to infection and raw. Any doubts, it’s always better to have a medical professional take a look.
There are many types of mosquito and the number of the active species varies according to the time of the year and the weather. Most do not carry the malaria virus, which can be a comfort if you’ve been bitten many times over. Mosquitoes don’t fly too well either, so they can be kept at bay at night if you can stand the noise of a fan and a breeze blowing on you. Most people tend to get bitten when they are out and about in the evenings so if you intend to sit out to enjoy a dinner or a couple of beers, a good repellent on your arms and legs is a must. A mosquito net may also help if you like camping and spending time outdoors.
Some people swear they never get bitten but why not is a mystery. Eating garlic regularly looks as if it could be a factor. Whether this is true or not, when it comes to dealing with bites, prevention is better than a cure, even if it is taking a relaxing oatmeal bath and rubbing thyme all over yourself.
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